Lou Starzl likes to say that being diagnosed with cancer is not the end of the road.

In the East Petersburg resident's case, it was the beginning of a series of long bicycle rides.

Lou plans to pedal 1,000 miles this summer to raise money for the Breakthrough Challenge, which helps fund cancer research at the University of Pennsylvania.

To support Lou's excursions, go to http://www.breakthrough-challenge.org, click on the donate button on the top right of the page, and search for "Lou Starzl." Lou said 100% of participant-raised funds go to the cancer research pool.

Lou was diagnosed with glioblastoma in December 2020 at the age of 44, and he had brain surgery on Christmas Eve of that year. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of cancer that originates in the brain, he said.

In January 2025, Lou was invited to be on a panel for long-term glioblastoma survivors at the University of Pennsylvania's annual symposium, which also included doctors from around the globe. "That's what sparked the idea to make my story public and attempt the 1,000 miles," said Lou. "When I got the invitation (to speak on the panel), that reinforced that I am fortunate to be doing so well almost five years into having glioblastoma. Not a lot of people are this lucky."

Lou said he came out of the conference with new goals. "I used to hide from the diagnosis," he said. "Now I hope I can inspire others struggling with glioblastoma to keep moving forward. It was also a good reminder for me that time is short with this disease. I wanted to finally do something with my story to do something positive while I still can."

Lou had participated in several fundraisers, including last year's Breakthrough Challenge, but the symposium was the catalyst to try something bigger. Over about a two-month span, he will take part in a collection of organized rides.

Lou's journey of 1,000 miles will begin with a single push of the pedal on July 19, when he will embark on the Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI). Started by The Des Moines Register newspaper 52 years ago, RAGBRAI is recognized as the oldest, longest, and largest recreational bicycle touring event in the world and is a little more than 400 miles long, according to the event's website.

Lou will ride in the Central PA Trifecta, which is made up of the Tiffany's Pink Pedal Ride on Saturday, Aug. 9; the Lancaster Covered Bridge Classic on Sunday, Aug. 17; and the Three Creek Century on Sunday, Sept. 21.

From Sunday, Sept. 7, to Saturday, Sept. 13, he will cycle in the Keystone State Ride, an approximately 300-mile expedition across Pennsylvania. Lou completed two days of the event last year, and he will attempt to complete the entire event this time.

He will participate in the Breakthrough Challenge Ride in Oley Valley on Sunday, Sept. 14.

Lou is trepidatious after publicly disclosing his plans. "Physically, I'm feeling strong. I'm definitely a little bit nervous, especially after putting my story out in a public fashion," he said before joking, "There's no backing out at this point."

He has prepared for his odyssey by making sure he gets proper rest and nutrition and by cycling between 150 and 200 miles a week. He works out indoors on a trainer bike during the week. On weekends, he rides outdoors in Lancaster County, which he finds cathartic. "When I'm out on the back country roads in Lancaster, I can just clear my head and be out in nature," Lou said.

After eight months of intense workouts, Lou said he thought it was "time to attempt something big," adding, "The rides themselves are going to somewhat be a celebration and the culmination of all the work I've put in to get to this point."

He credits his active lifestyle with aiding him in his battle. "It helps a lot," said Lou. "It's a balance of staying physically active and focusing on my health a little more."

Lou was born in Nebraska and grew up in Hershey before attending Bloomsburg University. He returned to the southcentral Pennsylvania area in 2007.

He is grateful for his support system at home, which consists of his wife, Carrie, and their rescue pit bull named Winnie. "When I was diagnosed, Carrie was the one who sat me down and said, 'Do you want to thrive?'" Lou recalled. "That was really a powerful moment for me. I said, 'Yes. I want to fight.'"

It's a fight Lou is committed to continuing. "My health is good," he said. "With glioblastoma, the general prognosis is very poor. But at almost five years in, I'm extremely fortunate to be able to keep going."

Lou said there are things he'd like people to take from his story. "Life is short," he said. "No one knows what might happen tomorrow, regardless of being healthy or not. It's important to keep working toward your goals. More importantly for myself and other cancer survivors specifically, having cancer is not the end of the road. You just have to keep moving forward regardless. Some of it is what you make of it."